The Life of the Prophet Muhammad by Ibn Kathir - Volume 2 of 4

IMAM ABU AL-FIDA' ISMA~L IBN KATH~R 19
They brought with them presents and treasures from the Negus, God he
pleased with him; and accompanying them as passengers on their Yemeni boat
were the followers of Abii Miisa al-Ash'ari and his people the Ash'aris, may God
be pleased with them.
And with Ja'far and the presents of the Negus were the nephew of the Negus,
Dha Nakhtar, or Dhii Mikhmar, whom he had sent to serve the Prophet (SAAS)
instead of his uncle.
Al-Suhayli stated that the Negus died in Rajab in the year 9 of the hqra,
though there is dispute about that. But God knows best.
Al-Bayhaqi stated, "The jurist Abii Ishaq, Ihr&im h. Muhammad b. Ibrahim
al-Tiisi informed us, quoting Abii al-'Abbits Muhammad b. Ya'qiib, quoting
Hilal b. al-'Alz' al-Raqqi, quoting Abii al-'A12 h. Mudrik, quoting Abii Hilal b.
al-'Ala', from his father, from Ghdib, from Abii Umama, who said, 'The delegation
from the Negus went in to see the Messenger of God (SAAS), and he
arose to serve them. His Companions objected, saying, L'Let us do that for you,
0 Messenger of God." He replied, "They honoured my Companions, and I wish
to repay them.'""
He (al-Bayhaqi) then stated, "And Abii Muhammad 'Ahd Allah b. Yiisuf
al-Ashah%ni informed me, quoting Abii Sacid b. al-Acrabi that Hilal b. alLCAla'
related, quotingmy father, quoting Talha b. Yazid, from al-Awza'i, from Yahya
h. Abii Kathir, from Abii Salama, from Aha Qatada, who said, 'The delegation
from the Negus went in to the Messenger of God (SAAS), and he arose to serve
them. His Companions said, "We'll do that for you, 0 Messenger of God." He
replied, "They honoured my Companions and I wish to repay them."'"
Talha h. Yazid narrated this, from al-Awza'i.
Al-Bayhaqi stated, "Aha al-Husayn b. Bishr&n related to us, quoting Abii
'Amr h. al-Samm&, quoting Hanhal b. Ish~q, quoting al-Humaydi, quoting
Snfy%n, quoting 'Amr, as follows, 'When 'Amr b. al-'As arrived from Abyssinia
he sat at home. Since he would not go out to them, people wondered why this
was. 'Amr then said, "Ashama claims your man to be a prophet."'"
'UMAR B. AL-KHATTAB ACCEPTS ISLAM.
Ibn Ishaq stated, "When 'Amr b. al-'AS and 'Ahd Allah b. Abii Rabi'a arrived back
to Quraysh, having failed to achieve their aims with the supporters of the
Messenger of God (SAAS) and having been rudely rejected by the Negus, Wmar
b. al-Khartab accepted Islam. He was a forceful man, capable of defending his
supporters, and the Companions of the Messenger of God (SAAS) had protection
through him and through Hamza, so that they could stand up to @raysh.
"'Ahd Allah b. Mas'iid used to say, 'We were unable to pray at the ka'ba until
Wmar accepted Islam; having done so, Wmar battled Quraysh until he was able
to pray at the ka'ba, and we prayed with him."'